"Hubby! Hurry up! Look at the time! It's Goku's big day, why are you still dawdling!"
The morning sun had just begun to bathe the Briefs' estate in West City, but a rather impatient Bulma was already dressed to the nines.
She wore a tasteful light blue formal dress and was incessantly rushing Whitley, who had just stepped out of the gravity room, still steaming from his workout.
Wiping his sweat with a towel, Whitley looked a bit helplessly at his eager wife. "It's just a wedding and a meal, it's not like we're the ones getting married. Why go so early? Are you planning to have morning tea there?"
In his mind, as long as they weren't late for this kind of occasion, arriving around mealtime was good enough.
"What do you know!"
Bulma shot him an annoyed glare. "This is a major event in Goku's life! As his best friends, of course we have to go early to help out and see if there's anything else that needs to be prepared! And I have to go keep Chi-Chi company, this is one of the most important moments in a girl's life! Hurry up and take a shower and change your clothes!"
Whitley looked at Bulma's serious expression and knew he couldn't reason with her about the Saiyan wedding etiquette, which was simply to show up and eat.
His eyes darted around, and a mischievous idea suddenly came to him.
He grinned, took a sudden step forward, and wrapped his sweaty body tightly around Bulma without another word!
"Aah!!!"
Caught completely off guard, Bulma's custom-made dress was instantly soaked with a large patch of Whitley's sweat. The sticky feeling made her scream. "Whitley!!! You bastard!!! I just changed into this dress!!!"
"Hahahahaha!"
His scheme having succeeded, Whitley let go with a loud laugh. Before Bulma could react and unleash her "waist-pinching divine art," his figure flashed, and he slipped away towards the bathroom. "I'll be ready in a minute! Just let me take a bath first!"
Bulma looked at the sweat stains on her dress, both angry and anxious, and shook her fist in the direction Whitley had disappeared. "Whitley! You just wait for me tonight!!!"
The Namekian Grand Elder, who had been watching the human couple's antics with a constant smile, showed a gentle and curious expression, muttering to himself, "Is this how human men and women express their affection? It's so strange yet full of vitality..."
By the time Whitley had finished his comfortable bath and leisurely changed into a casual suit, it was almost ten in the morning.
Bulma looked at the clock on the wall and stomped her foot in frustration, complaining at him again, "You're going to be the death of me! It's almost ten o'clock! It'll be noon by the time we get there!"
"Relax, relax, we'll be just in time for lunch," Whitley said with a grin, wrapping his arm around her shoulder to soothe her. He then nodded to the Grand Elder beside them. "Grand Elder, let's get going too."
Since it was a formal wedding, it was more respectful to travel by aircraft.
The three of them boarded Bulma's luxurious hovercraft, which Bulma piloted herself, and flew towards Mount Paozu, where Goku lived.
The aircraft was very fast, and before long, the familiar scenery of Mount Paozu appeared below.
A good number of people had already gathered in the open space by Goku's house, and the scene was quite lively.
The moment Whitley stepped out of the aircraft, he curiously scanned the crowd and was surprised to see many familiar faces.
Master Roshi and Krillin were a given, but what surprised him was that even Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and... that guy Piccolo were here!
"Yo~ isn't this our great Demon King Piccolo?"
Whitley walked over with a smile, his tone teasing. "What a rare guest! What's this? Are you here to attend your 'enemy's' wedding? Or are you planning to crash the party?"
He had expected that with Piccolo's personality, he would either give him a cold glare or just start a fight.
Unexpectedly, Piccolo just let out a cold snort and ignored his provocation. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the Namekian Grand Elder who was following behind him.
His brow was furrowed, his face filled with gravity and confusion.
"You..." Piccolo's voice had a barely perceptible tremor. "Who are you? Why... are you so similar to me?"
The Grand Elder had already noticed Piccolo. He sized him up carefully, his face also showing surprise and inquiry.
After a long moment, he finally spoke slowly, his tone filled with realization and sentiment. "Child... you are the son of Katas, aren't you? To think that the egg that was sent away back then drifted to Earth... and you even split yourself into two..."
He paused, his tone becoming somewhat serious. "If you could reunite with your other self, perhaps... you could unleash an unimaginably great power."
Piccolo was silent for a moment after hearing this.
If it were the old him, he might have been tempted by the prospect of gaining great power through fusion.
But now... he just sneered, pointed a finger at Whitley, and said with clear mockery, "Fuse? Hmph! Even if I did, could I beat him?"
The Grand Elder's words were instantly choked back.
He looked at the innocent-looking Whitley, then at the defiant Piccolo, and finally could only let out a helpless sigh. "Sigh..."
He shook his head, said no more, and turned to walk into the house, preparing to first complete his trade with Whitley—to unlock the potential of the bride, Chi-Chi.
Piccolo silently stared at the Grand Elder's back until he disappeared inside, then retracted his gaze and glanced at Whitley, still without a word.
This time, Whitley was a little surprised.
This guy... he heard about a way to get stronger and didn't immediately go to the Lookout to find Kami and fuse?
Has... he had a change of heart? Is he starting to train diligently on his own?
In truth, Piccolo was also in a bitter situation.
If there were even a glimmer of hope for revenge, or to regain his pride, who wouldn't want to take it?
But reality was cruel. After he had tried to cause trouble for Goku here last time and was knocked down with a single light punch, he had completely accepted reality—even if he fused with that weakling Kami at the Lookout and his power skyrocketed, he would probably still be no match for Whitley, Goku, or even that Vegeta!
The gap was simply too great!
The matter of revenge... would have to be a long-term plan. It was more practical to rely on his own slow and steady training to get stronger.
At the very least... he'd wait until he could beat Son Goku first!
Just then, Goku, dressed in a sharp white suit, also walked out of the house. He immediately greeted Whitley with a smile. "Yo! Whitley, you guys are here!"
Whitley looked him up and down, let out a whistle, and teased him, "Well, well! Look at the groom! You're looking pretty sharp today! I almost didn't recognize you!"
Hearing this, Goku's smiling face instantly fell. As if he had found a savior, he leaned close to Whitley and complained in a low voice, "Whitley, do you really have to wear this kind of clothes for a wedding? Can't I wear my training gi?"
He moved his arms and legs awkwardly and tugged at the tight collar of his suit. "These clothes are so uncomfortable! I feel like they'll tear if I use a little bit of force. I don't even dare to make big movements. I feel so restricted!"
Piccolo, at the side, couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, his tone tinged with schadenfreude. "Hmph! This is your retribution, Son Goku! For a powerful warrior like you to marry such a weak woman... just you wait until you're truly married, the suffering has yet to come!"
Goku scratched his head, looked at Piccolo with a naive expression, and asked, "Retribution? What's that? Is it a new kind of bun? Is it tasty?"
Piccolo: "..."
He almost choked. Goku's strange train of thought had made his face turn even greener. "You idiot!!!"
"Alright, alright!"
Whitley suppressed his laughter and quickly pushed Goku by the shoulders towards the house. "You're the groom, the star of the show today. What are you doing out here? Go back inside and stay with your bride! There are so many guests waiting for you in there!"
As he was being pushed, Goku was still muttering, "But there are so many people inside, it feels so stuffy... and my clothes are tight... it's much more comfortable outside..."
After sending Goku off, Whitley turned back, patted Piccolo's shoulder, and said with a hint of strange sympathy, "I don't know if Goku will suffer after he gets married, but I can see... someone is going to have a lot to worry about in the future~ And also, after Chi-Chi's potential is unlocked, you might not even be able to beat her."
Piccolo's body stiffened. Feeling the ki of the bride he had seen inside suddenly surge, he slapped Whitley's hand away.
After a cold snort, he turned and leaped onto the roof, staring into the distance by himself, leaving only a cool back for Whitley to see.
Whitley shrugged indifferently and turned to find Bulma.
Seeing that she was happily chatting with Chi-Chi and a girl who must be Krillin's girlfriend, Maron, he decided not to disturb her.
His gaze fell on the girl named Maron, and he sized her up for a few moments, muttering to himself, 'Huh? Krillin's got good taste... but this girl's features and hairstyle, why do they look a little bit like a younger Bulma?'
Just then, Maron seemed to feel Whitley's gaze and looked over. When she saw Whitley's tall and sturdy build and his handsome yet wild features, her eyes instantly lit up!
A charming smile appeared on her seemingly innocent little face, and she seemed about to walk over to strike up a conversation.
Whitley's heart instantly skipped a beat!
Oh boy! The look in this woman's eyes is not right!
He didn't want any trouble. He quickly turned and fled, joining Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and the others, pretending to join their discussion about "Goku's embarrassing childhood stories."
Not long after, the sound of another engine came from the sky.
A somewhat old-fashioned but well-maintained aircraft slowly descended.
The hatch opened, and out walked... Vegeta, Raditz, and Nappa!
And what surprised Whitley even more was that the pilot was the blonde-haired Launch!
"This..." Whitley was a bit stunned.
Has Launch really integrated into the Saiyan group like this? How did Raditz and Nappa accept her? Is it just because she's 'dating' Vegeta?
Or... could it be that Launch's special constitution, where she changes from blue hair to blonde hair and her personality changes with a sneeze, made this group of Saiyans think it was some kind of 'low-spec Super Saiyan transformation,' and thus they felt a sense of kinship?
However, Whitley soon noticed that the tall Nappa's gaze was a bit shifty after seeing him. His face even showed clear guilt and fear, and he kept stealing glances at him.
"Hmm?"
Whitley's eyes narrowed slightly. His intuition told him there was a story here.
He first walked over and greeted the tsundere Vegeta. "Yo! I didn't expect you to actually come, Vegeta. I thought you'd find this kind of occasion boring and continue to hole up somewhere training."
Vegeta crossed his arms and snorted at Whitley with his chin up. "Hmph! I just came to see what kind of woman could make Kakarot decide to get married! I really don't know what he's thinking!"
After speaking, he didn't wait for Whitley's reply and walked straight into the house, as if he really wanted to go "observe" Chi-Chi.
Whitley didn't mind him and walked straight towards Nappa, whose gaze was darting around as he tried to shrink his presence.
He reached out and slapped Nappa heavily on his thick shoulder!
"Ah! Wh-Whitley!"
Nappa was so startled by the sudden slap that his body went limp, and he almost fell to his knees, cold sweat instantly breaking out on his forehead.
Whitley found it amusing. "Hey, Nappa, what's wrong with you? I haven't seen you in a few days... why are you so afraid of me? You look terrible. Could it be... you did something you feel guilty about behind my back?"
Nappa nervously swallowed. He first subconsciously glanced at Launch, who had already followed Vegeta into the house.
When Launch felt his gaze, she not only didn't show any reaction but also shot him a fierce glare in return.
Nappa was on the verge of tears. He turned back to the smiling Whitley and stammered in a low voice, "Th-that... Whitley... sir... I... I... before... was... tricked by that woman..."
"Tricked by a woman?"
Whitley's face was full of surprise, his interest piqued. "Who? Launch? How did she trick you?"
He really couldn't imagine what Launch could have tricked this simple-minded giant about.
Nappa, seeing that Whitley seemed to be in a good mood and wasn't immediately angry, finally mustered some courage and explained haltingly, "It's... it's like this. Before, that woman... in her blonde form... she said... she said she would introduce me to a good job... much faster than laying bricks... I... I believed her..."
His voice got smaller and smaller, and his head hung lower and lower. "I didn't expect... the good job she mentioned... was actually... was to... go to... the... bank... and 'get' things..."
Whitley's eyes widened, and he almost burst out laughing!
He suppressed his laughter and confirmed again, "You mean... you were tricked by Launch into... robbing a bank together?!"
Nappa hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded heavily, an "I give up" expression on his face.
"Uh..." Whitley was completely speechless.
He looked at Nappa's pitiful expression of both fear and grievance and didn't know whether to be angry or amused.
He pondered for a moment and, under Nappa's extremely nervous gaze, said, "I'll let it slide this time..."
Nappa let out a sigh of relief, feeling like he had just been given a new lease on life.
But Whitley continued sternly, "But! You must return every single cent you 'got' from the bank! Do you hear me? Also, did you hurt anyone?"
Nappa immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum. "No, no! We definitely didn't hurt anyone! We just... just took the money and ran..."
"That's good."
Whitley's expression softened a little. "Return the money, and this matter will be over. As for you wanting a job to earn money..."
He thought for a moment and had an idea. "I'll introduce you to a proper job later. It will definitely be enough for you to support you guys, and you'll earn much more than laying bricks, and it's legal income! If you feel you still want to earn more, you can try to get Raditz, or even Vegeta, to join. Don't worry, the salary will definitely satisfy you."
What Whitley had in mind was the Capsule Corp logistics delivery job that he had made Vegeta "experience life" as during their bet.
With the super speed and strength of a Saiyan, the efficiency of delivering packages would be off the charts!
The "Prince Logistics" that Bulma had joked about before might actually become a reality.
This would not only solve their livelihood problem but also create profits. It was a win-win!
"Th-this... I... can I really do it?"
Nappa was a little surprised to hear that Whitley was going to introduce him to a job, but he was even more tempted.
Especially when Whitley vaguely revealed that "His Highness the Prince has done this before," his eyes instantly lit up!
Even Prince Vegeta has done it? Then this job definitely isn't shameful! And it sounds like it pays really well?
Whitley smiled and nodded, patting his shoulder encouragingly. "Don't worry, you'll have no problem! Work hard, and try to get a big house for you guys soon, so you don't have to squeeze into that abandoned base anymore!"
Nappa was instantly excited. He pounded his chest and nodded in agreement. "Yes, Lord Whitley! I'll definitely work hard!"
Not only did he agree, but he was already starting to plan how to get his good brother Raditz to join him, striving to "grow bigger and stronger, and create new glories"!
By the time Whitley and the others had finished chatting, Goku's wedding ceremony had officially begun.
A small flower stand was set up on the empty ground. The somewhat unreliable-looking Master Roshi was officiating in a floral shirt and slippers.
The announcer from the World Martial Arts Tournament was the master of ceremonies.
Goku and Chi-Chi stood in the middle of the flower stand in their wedding attire, their expressions different.
Whitley looked at the unusually nervous and awkward Goku on the stage and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Unlike the scenes he had seen in the manga and anime in his past life, now... he had truly watched this simple and kind boy grow up and become stronger step by step.
In a way, he was like Goku's older brother.
He subconsciously turned his head and looked at Goku's real older brother—Raditz.
Raditz was currently holding a plate piled high with food and eating with great relish in a corner.
He was even eating and at the same time pulling aside the chef Ox-King had invited, constantly asking, "Hey, friend, how is this meat roasted? The heat is controlled so well! This soup is also delicious, what seasonings are in it?"
As for his own brother, Kakarot, who was getting married on the stage? Heh, that kid hadn't acknowledged him as his older brother since he found out his identity anyway, and he had long since stopped trying to be friendly.
Eating was the most important thing!
On the stage, after Goku and Chi-Chi exchanged rings, it was time for the bride and groom to speak.
Chi-Chi was a little shy at first, but her tone was firm as she said that she and Goku had been introduced by her father and Master Roshi. Although they hadn't known each other for long, she believed that Goku was a kind, strong, and responsible man.
Choosing him, she would definitely be happy in the future.
When it was Goku's turn, he held the microphone, scratched the back of his head, and looked at the expectant crowd below with a simple-minded expression.
He looked at the announcer beside him, and after a long pause, he finally said, "Um... I don't really know what to say... Chi-Chi,"
He turned to his bride, his tone particularly practical. "Can we eat now? I'm so hungry... Look, it seems like Whitley and Vegeta have almost finished all the good food on that table..."
"Pfft—!"
"Hahahaha!"
The crowd below instantly burst into laughter! Even the usually serious Chi-Chi couldn't help but blush and playfully punched Goku.
The announcer was also amused and quickly smoothed things over. "Hahaha! It seems our groom can't wait to celebrate with a feast! Well then, I declare! The banquet begins! Everyone, eat and drink to your heart's content!"
Since the groom had spoken, everyone no longer held back and laughingly walked towards the long table laden with food.
And Goku had already rushed down in a flash and joined the food-snatching war with Whitley and Vegeta!
The three of them brandished their chopsticks, and the battle was once fierce, as if another World Martial Arts Tournament was underway.
Chi-Chi looked at her husband, who was like a child who would never grow up, and sighed helplessly.
But when she thought of the bank card with a deposit of fifty million that Bulma had secretly given her, plus the feeling of being full of power after that green-skinned old man had unlocked her potential, her mood instantly brightened.
This husband... although he's a bit of an airhead, it seems... she really married the right person?
He has such amazing and generous friends, and another friend who is said to be a high-ranking official in the universe, and he even found a way to make her stronger...
Chi-Chi was lost in thought, her gaze on Goku a little dazed.
Just as Chi-Chi was looking at Goku, Goku managed to snatch a plate of tempting fried rice from the "demonic claws" of Whitley and Vegeta.
He was about to eat it all himself, but when he looked up and saw Chi-Chi standing not far away, staring at him in a daze, he hesitated for a moment, then walked over with the plate and placed the fried rice in front of her.
His tone carried a rare and clumsy concern. "Chi-Chi, you should eat too. This fried rice is delicious! If you don't eat it now, Vegeta will snatch it all!"
Chi-Chi looked at the steaming fried rice before her, then at Goku's simple but incredibly sincere eyes, and her heart was instantly filled with a great sense of happiness.
She nodded vigorously, a brilliant smile on her face. "Okay! Thank you, Goku!"
She picked up a spoon and took a bite of the fried rice. It was indeed delicious.
But she felt that what was even sweeter was her own mood.
The man her father had chosen for her might not be romantic, but he had the purest and warmest of hearts.
She watched Goku rush back into the "battlefield" to fight with his friends, her eyes a little dazed.
And so, Goku's wedding ceremony came to a perfect end amidst everyone's jokes and laughter.
Piccolo, watching the feasting crowd with resentment, able only to drink water: "I shouldn't have come!"
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